Comprehensive Approach to Child Abuse

The research line carries out practice-oriented (action) research aimed at improving the quality and effectiveness of support and assistance to families where there is vulnerability and/or (the threat of) insecurity. 

The research line is an important link in knowledge development and knowledge sharing in the field of child abuse in the northern region.

VONK

Learning network VONK is an important vehicle for this.

From thinking to doing

The research line carries out action research into re-notifications at Safe at Home in Drenthe, financed by the 'From thinking to doing' project pool of the 'Violence does not belong anywhere' programme.

The research line is committed to ensuring that domestic violence and child abuse become a structural part of the curricula of various higher education programmes. 

The research line provides up-to-date training, in particular in the field of talking to parents about the downsides of parenthood and about integrated (co-)working. In this way, the research line contributes to strengthening (future) professionals. 

Dark sides of parenting - training

As a (youth aid) professional, do you come across young people in the neighbourhood that you are concerned about? Do you talk to parents in the neighbourhood and wonder how you can find out if something is going on and how you can talk about it? Do you wonder if your interventions or the conversation you had have helped? Then this training is for you. You learn to talk to parents, children and young people in an accessible way about what concerns them. The training provides tools for an open conversation and helps you to discuss signals. Finally, the training offers a way to look back with a family and fellow professionals on what has helped them and what may not have helped them, in order to learn from it.

Empowering Parents. Prevention of child abuse from pregnancy to infancy

The book 'Empowering Parents. Prevention of child abuse from pregnancy to infancy' (written in Dutch), edited by Susan Ketner, offers guidelines for (prospective) professionals who work with families. The main question is how professionals can strengthen families so that young children can grow up safely.

Based on current knowledge, the research line informs and advises its partners about regional and national developments in the field of preventing and stopping child abuse. 

The research line has a broad local, regional and (inter)national network and uses this network for, among other things, consortium formation and joint learning.

Some examples:

Earthquake Academy

The research line contributed to the e-learning module 'Supporting parents in the safe upbringing of children in the earthquake area' for the Earthquake Academy. This is a platform for professionals who work with people affected by the Groningen earthquake problem. The offer is free for professionals from the region.

Empowering Parents. Prevention of child abuse from pregnancy to infancy

The book 'Empowering Parents. Prevention of child abuse from pregnancy to infancy' (written in Dutch), edited by Susan Ketner, offers guidelines for (prospective) professionals who work with families. The main question is how professionals can strengthen families so that young children can grow up safely.

Parenting is juggling

The book 'Parenting is juggling' (written in Dutch), is a growth book for parents. Based on scientific insights and experiences of parents, parents of young children are given tools in this book by professor Susan Ketner, among others, to better cope with the challenges of the tough first years.

Checklist 'I am worried'

In collaboration with learning network VONK, a checklist has been developed for professionals about conversations with parents about worrying situations. If you are concerned about the home situation of a child or young person, it is good to discuss this with the parent(s). In the Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Reporting Code, talking to those involved is also a mandatory step. The checklist helps you to prepare for a meeting with parents.